KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Malaysia must carefully consider a proposal by several countries for it to co-chair The Hague Group alongside South Africa, given legal constraints and its status as a non-party to relevant international conventions, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said accepting the role would raise questions about Malaysia’s participation in international legal instruments, including the Rome Statute, which he said could potentially conflict with the Federal Constitution.
He said the proposal followed Malaysia’s active involvement in the group, an international platform aimed at increasing pressure on Israel over the Palestinian issue.
“We must consider this carefully because Malaysia is not a state party to the convention. Therefore, we cannot become a co-chair.
